DHARAMSHALA: The Election Commission of the Central Tibetan
Administration today announced the dates for the preliminary and final
election of Sikyong of the 15th Kashag and members of the 16th Tibetan
Parliament-in-Exile.

“The preliminary election for Sikyong and members of the 16th Tibetan
Parliament is slated for 18 October 2015. The final election would be
held on 20 March 2016,” Mr. Sonam Choephel Shosur, the Chief Election
Commissioner, said. The Election Commissioner is accompanied by the two
Additional Election Commissioners appointed recently by the standing
committee of the Tibetan parliament in lieu of the upcoming elections.

The election commission also announced the new rules regarding campaign expenses and activities of the candidates.

“The total campaign expense for a Sikyong candidate should not exceed
INR 8 Lacs and the campaign expense for a candidate for the Tibetan
Parliament-in-Exile should not exceed INR 3 Lacs,” the Election
Commissioner said, adding that all campaign activities should cease two
days before the final Election Day.

The election commission urged the candidates to submit their names
and details to their local election commission before announcing their
candidacy. They also urged the candidates to refrain from excessive
campaigning in sensitive areas such as Nepal where the local people are
recovering from a severe natural tragedy.

The 2016 general election will elect the fourth directly elected
Sikyong (earlier Kalon Tripa) and the 16th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile.
The 16th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile would be composed of 45 members
with ten representatives each from the three traditional Tibetan
provinces; two representatives each from the four major schools of
Tibetan Buddhism and Bon religion, two representatives from North and
South America, two representatives from Europe and Africa, and one
representative from Australia and Asia (excluding India, Nepal and
Bhutan).